Old Testament Quick Reference
A one-page overview of all 39 Old Testament books.
The Law (Pentateuch)ā
| Book | Summary | Key Theme | Key Verse | Top Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis | God creates the world and humanity, then calls Abraham to establish a covenant people through whom all nations will be blessed. | Beginnings | Gen 1:1 | Trust God's sovereignty even in difficult circumstances |
| Exodus | God delivers Israel from Egyptian slavery, establishes His covenant at Sinai, and dwells among them in the tabernacle. | Redemption | Ex 20:2 | Remember your redemption from spiritual bondage |
| Leviticus | God instructs His redeemed people how to worship Him in holiness through sacrifices, priests, and holy living. | Holiness | Lev 19:2 | Pursue holiness in every area of life |
| Numbers | Israel's unbelief leads to 40 years of wilderness wandering, but God remains faithful to prepare a new generation. | Faithfulness | Num 23:19 | Don't let unbelief keep you from God's promises |
| Deuteronomy | Moses calls Israel to love God wholeheartedly, remember His faithfulness, and choose obedience as they enter Canaan. | Covenant Love | Deut 6:4-5 | Love God with all your heart, soul, and strength |
Historical Booksā
| Book | Summary | Key Theme | Key Verse | Top Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua | Israel conquers and settles Canaan under Joshua's leadership as God proves faithful to His promises. | Victory | Josh 1:9 | Be strong and courageousāGod is with you |
| Judges | Israel cycles through sin, oppression, and deliverance, showing the need for godly leadership and covenant faithfulness. | Cycles of Sin | Judg 21:25 | Don't do what's right in your own eyesāfollow God |
| Ruth | A Moabite woman's loyal devotion leads to blessing and inclusion in the line of David and Jesus. | Redemption | Ruth 1:16 | Practice covenant loyalty even when it's costly |
| 1 Samuel | God establishes leaders with hearts devoted to Him, contrasting Saul's disobedience with David's faithfulness. | Leadership | 1 Sam 16:7 | God values your heart over outward appearance |
| 2 Samuel | David reigns as king but falls into sin, yet God's grace extends forgiveness while allowing consequences. | Grace & Consequences | 2 Sam 7:12 | Guard against temptation; confess sin quickly |
| 1 Kings | Solomon's wisdom and temple-building give way to idolatry, causing the kingdom to divide. | Division | 1 Kgs 18:21 | Don't compromise your faith for relationships or success |
| 2 Kings | Both kingdoms fall into exile due to persistent idolatry despite prophetic warnings. | Judgment | 2 Kgs 17:13 | Heed God's warnings before it's too late |
| 1 Chronicles | Post-exilic retelling emphasizes David's reign and temple preparations to encourage returning exiles. | Worship | 1 Chr 16:11 | Prioritize worship and make it central to your life |
| 2 Chronicles | Kings who seek God prosper while those who abandon Him face disaster, ending with hope of restoration. | Seeking God | 2 Chr 7:14 | Humble yourself, pray, and seek God's face daily |
| Ezra | God brings exiles back to rebuild the temple despite opposition; Ezra leads spiritual renewal through Scripture. | Restoration | Ezra 7:10 | Devote yourself to studying, obeying, and teaching God's Word |
| Nehemiah | Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls through prayer and action, then leads covenant renewal. | Prayer & Action | Neh 4:14 | Combine prayer with diligent work |
| Esther | Jewish queen courageously saves her people from genocide, revealing God's hidden providence. | Providence | Est 4:14 | You are where you are "for such a time as this" |
Wisdom Literatureā
| Book | Summary | Key Theme | Key Verse | Top Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job | A righteous man endures inexplicable suffering, learning that God's wisdom transcends human understanding. | Suffering | Job 13:15 | Trust God even without understanding why you suffer |
| Psalms | Israel's inspired hymnal expressing the full range of human emotions before a faithful God. | Worship | Ps 23:1 | Pray the Psalmsāuse them to express your heart to God |
| Proverbs | Practical wisdom for godly living begins with fearing the LORD and applies to every area of life. | Wisdom | Prov 1:7 | Control your tongue and choose friends wisely |
| Ecclesiastes | Life without God is meaningless; purpose is found in fearing God and keeping His commandments. | Meaning | Eccl 12:13 | Don't seek ultimate satisfaction in earthly pursuits |
| Song of Solomon | Celebration of romantic and sexual love within marriage as God's beautiful gift. | Marital Love | Song 8:6-7 | Honor marital intimacy and cultivate romance |
Major Prophetsā
| Book | Summary | Key Theme | Key Verse | Top Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah | God's holy judgment on sin and glorious promise of salvation through the suffering Messiah. | Messiah | Isa 53:5 | Find comfort in God's promises and sovereignty |
| Jeremiah | The weeping prophet warns Judah of coming judgment while promising a New Covenant. | New Covenant | Jer 29:11 | Seek heart transformation, not just external religion |
| Lamentations | Poetic mourning over Jerusalem's destruction, yet finding hope in God's unfailing mercies. | Grief & Hope | Lam 3:22-23 | God's mercies are new every morning |
| Ezekiel | God's glory departs from the temple due to sin but promises to give His people new hearts. | God's Glory | Ezek 36:26 | Pursue God's transforming presence in your life |
| Daniel | Faithful living in exile demonstrates God's sovereignty over all kingdoms and coming kingdom. | Sovereignty | Dan 2:21 | Maintain integrity even in hostile environments |
Minor Prophetsā
| Book | Summary | Key Theme | Key Verse | Top Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosea | God's unfailing love for unfaithful Israel pictured through Hosea's marriage to an adulteress. | God's Love | Hos 6:6 | Return to GodāHis love never fails |
| Joel | Locust plague pictures coming judgment, but God promises restoration and His Spirit. | The Spirit | Joel 2:28 | Respond to crises by turning to God in repentance |
| Amos | God demands justice and righteousness, rejecting worship divorced from ethics. | Justice | Amos 5:24 | Let justice roll like a riverācare for the poor |
| Obadiah | Edom judged for pride and violence against Judah; God will judge all nations. | Pride | Obad 1:3 | Guard against prideāit leads to destruction |
| Jonah | Reluctant prophet learns God's compassion extends to all nations, even enemies. | God's Mercy | Jonah 4:2 | Extend grace to those you find difficult to love |
| Micah | God requires justice, mercy, and humble walking with Him, promising a Messiah from Bethlehem. | True Religion | Mic 6:8 | Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God |
| Nahum | God's judgment on Nineveh shows He avenges evil and cares for those who trust Him. | God's Justice | Nah 1:7 | God is your refugeātrust His justice |
| Habakkuk | Prophet questions God's justice but learns to live by faith and rejoice in God alone. | Faith | Hab 2:4 | Live by faith even when circumstances are difficult |
| Zephaniah | The Day of the Lord brings judgment on complacency but salvation for the humble remnant. | Day of the Lord | Zeph 3:17 | Don't be spiritually complacentāseek the Lord now |
| Haggai | Prioritize God's house over personal comfort; consider your ways and rebuild. | Priorities | Hag 1:7 | Put God's kingdom first in your priorities |
| Zechariah | Visions and prophecies encourage temple rebuilding and point to the coming Messiah-King. | Messianic Hope | Zech 9:9 | Depend on God's Spirit, not human strength |
| Malachi | God confronts His people's spiritual apathy and calls them to faithful worship and giving. | Honor God | Mal 3:10 | Give God your best, not your leftovers |
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